Account permanence

ABSTRACT

A system and method for using derived account identifiers. The derived account identifiers are associated with a single permanent account identifier. Each derived account identifier is associated with a communication channel or portable consumer device.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a non-provisional of and claims priority toU.S. provisional patent application No. 60/972,088, filed on Sep. 13,2007, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety for allpurposes.

BACKGROUND

Transaction cards, such as credit cards, are used to conducttransactions such as payment transactions. A card can be presented inperson in order to conduct a transaction (a “card present” transaction).The card can contain an account number. The account number could also berecited over the phone for mail order purchases (a “card not present”transaction). Now, with the rise of cellular telephones, the Internet,and various other communication channels and technologies, accountnumbers can be used in a number of different ways.

The ubiquity of card transactions and the ease with which they can bemade using technology (including in card not present transactions) hasled to increased opportunities for fraud. Once fraud has beendiscovered, the account in question may be suspended and the consumer isissued a new account. The technology does not exist, however, forissuing a replacement account and the means enabling the user to use thereplacement account immediately. Instead, the issuance process may takesome time, and during this period the consumer cannot use the accountover any channel. For example, if a consumer's credit card number isstolen during a card not present transaction, for instance through theuse of keylogging software illegally installed on the consumer'scomputer terminal, the consumer can use the credit card number neitherin future card present nor card not present transactions.

Some cards have further identifying features, such as “verificationvalues” or “card security codes.” Verification values are 3- or 4-digitnumbers that are printed on the face of a credit card. A verificationvalue is often used in “card not present” transactions. If theverification value and the consumer's account number is stolen, then athief may use this information to conduct purchases in card not presenttransactions, for instance transactions made through the Internet or bytelephone.

Better methods to secure against fraud are desirable. Embodiments of theinvention address these and other problems, individually andcollectively.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Embodiments of the invention include assigning a single permanentaccount to a consumer, and having the consumer use derived accountidentifiers associated with a particular payment mechanism that theconsumer is using. If one payment mechanism is compromised, otherpayment mechanisms are not compromised.

One embodiment of the invention is directed to a method comprisingcreating a plurality of derived account identifiers, wherein eachderived account identifier is derived from a single permanent accountidentifier associated with a consumer, and wherein each derived accountidentifier is associated with a different payment mechanism; andproviding the plurality of derived account identifiers to the consumer.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a computer readablemedium comprising code for creating a plurality of derived accountidentifiers, wherein each derived account identifier is derived from asingle permanent account identifier associated with a consumer, andwherein each derived account identifier is associated with a differentpayment mechanism; and code for providing the plurality of derivedaccount identifiers to the consumer.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a method comprisingusing a first derived account identifier in a first transaction; using asecond derived account identifier in a second transaction; wherein eachof the first and second derived account identifiers is associated with adifferent payment mechanism, and wherein each of the plurality ofderived account identifiers is derived from a single permanent accountidentifier.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a plurality ofportable consumer devices comprising a first portable consumer devicecomprising a first derived account identifier; and a second portableconsumer device comprising a second derived account identifier, whereinthe first and second derived account identifiers are derived from asingle permanent account identifier.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a method comprisingreceiving an authorization request message comprising a derived accountidentifier, wherein the first derived account identifier is associatedwith a specific payment mechanism, and wherein the derived accountidentifier is associated with a single permanent account identifier;determining the single permanent account identifier associated with thederived account identifier; and forwarding the authorization requestmessage to an issuer using the single permanent account identifier.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a computer readablemedium comprising code for receiving an authorization request messagecomprising a derived account identifier, wherein the derived accountidentifier is associated with a specific payment mechanism, and whereinthe derived account identifier is associated with a single permanentaccount identifier; code for determining the single permanent accountidentifier associated with the derived account identifier; and code forforwarding the authorization request message to an issuer using thesingle permanent account identifier.

These and other embodiments of the invention are described in furtherdetail below with reference to the drawings and the DetailedDescription.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system according to an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a portable consumer device that can be inthe form of a phone.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a portable consumer device in the form of apayment card.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an access device according to an embodimentof the invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the relationship between a permanent accountand derived accounts according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method according to an embodimentof the invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method according to an embodimentof the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the invention can be used in a transaction environmentthat contains multiple payment mechanisms. As used herein, a “paymentmechanism” can mean the agency or means by which a transaction isproduced or is accomplished. Payment mechanism may include all variouscommunication channels and portable consumer devices. A transaction canoccur over any payment mechanism. Examples of various payment mechanismsmay include transactions over the Internet, transactions using a paymentcard such as a credit card, transactions conducted over a telephone, andthe like.

A “communication channel” is a subcategory of payment mechanism, and mayinclude various ways of conducting a transaction using differentcomponents and/or communication paths. Examples of various communicationchannels include a channel including an access device or point-of-sale(POS) terminal (such as with a credit card), a merchant, an acquirerassociated with the merchant, a payment processing organization, and anissuer; a channel associated with payment over the Internet; a channelassociated with cellular telephone network (e.g., where payment is madevia a cellular phone), etc.

A “portable consumer device” is a subcategory of payment mechanism, andmay include a specific device that is being used to conduct a paymenttransaction. “Portable consumer devices” may include key fobs, paymentcards, wireless phones, etc. A more detailed description of portableconsumer devices is provided below.

In a conventional process, an issuer would issue a consumer a paymentcard such as a credit card. It would have an account number, anexpiration date and a CVV2 value associated with it. The account number,the expiration date, and the CVV2 value would be used for both cardpresent and card not present transactions. It may also be used with theconsumer's cellular phone if the consumer's cellular phone is used toconduct payment transactions.

In embodiments of the invention, a consumer is assigned a singlepermanent account identifier for an account. In certain embodiments,this identifier is not directly used to conduct transactions between thecustomer and merchants. It can be a permanent identifier the consumercan use to reference the consumer's account. When purchase transactionsare conducted, the consumer can use derived account identifiers. Eachpayment mechanism that is used by the consumer can have its own,separate, derived account identifier. The derived account identifierscan be associated with the single permanent account identifier, but theymay be different.

As used herein, a derived account identifier may be an accountidentifier that is associated with the single permanent accountidentifier. The derived account identifier may be associated to thesingle permanent account identifier through a look up table, by means ofsharing certain characteristics, by means of manipulating the singlepermanent account identifier through mathematical or other formulas tocreate the derived account identifiers, or by other suitable means. Insome embodiments, the permanent account identifier may include apermanent account number that does not change (e.g., 1234567812345678).Derived account identifiers may include one or more pieces ofinformation associated with the permanent account identifier. Forexample, an exemplary first derived account identifier may include thepermanent account number, a first expiration date, and a firstverification value. An exemplary second derived account identifier mayinclude the permanent account number, a second expiration date, and asecond verification value.

In embodiments of the invention, consumers use each derived accountidentifier only in coordination with the associated payment mechanism.For example, a consumer may have a single permanent account identifierfor a permanent account, and two derived account identifiers: a firstone for use with a credit card (the credit card being an instance of aportable consumer device), and a second one for any “card not present”transactions, such as for making purchases over the Internet (theInternet being a communication channel). When the consumer uses thecredit card for in-person purchases, such as at a POS terminal, thefirst derived account identifier on the card is used, and is linked tothe permanent account so that any purchases made are debited from thepermanent account. Likewise, when shopping over the Internet, theconsumer can make purchases from Internet based stores by providing thesecond derived account identifier to the Internet based stores. Anypurchases made in this fashion are debited from the permanent account.

In certain embodiments, each derived account identifier is intended toact much as typical card information currently does. As such, eachderived account identifier can be used for multiple transactions orpurchases, with different merchants. After each commerce transaction,the account associated with the single permanent account identifier canbe adjusted to reflect the transactions. For example, purchases madeusing a first derived account identifier and a second account identifiercan be added together so that a consumer sees only one monthly statementfor purchases made using those account identifiers. In this fashion, theconsumer may need to maintain only a single account that is linked tothe single permanent account identifier, while having the security ofusing multiple derived account identifiers. Each derived account canexpire at some pre-defined time and date, but typically that expirationdate is at least several months from the issue date of the derivedaccount identifier. The number of commerce transactions that eachderived account is usable for is only limited by the expiration date,and the amount of money or credit limit in the consumer's account.

In embodiments of the invention, if a derived account identifier isintercepted during use and then used in a fraudulent manner, thatderived account identifier can be cancelled and a replacement derivedaccount identifier can be issued. The replacement derived accountidentifier can be associated with the same portable consumer device orcommunication channel as the cancelled identifier. In this way, thecustomer can continue making purchases using the channels that have notbeen compromised, even while waiting for the replacement derived accountidentifier.

Specific embodiments of the invention can be described with reference toFIGS. 1-7.

FIG. 1 shows a system according to an embodiment of the invention. Othersystems according to embodiments of the invention may include fewer ormore components than are specifically shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 1 shows an access device 18, an acquirer 30, a payment processingnetwork 40, and an issuer 42, in operative communication with eachother. The acquirer 30 and issuer 42 can communicate through the paymentprocessing network 40. A mobile gateway 38 may also be in communicationwith the issuer 42 via the payment processing network 40. A computer 60(e.g., a personal computer) may also be in communication with the issuer42 via the payment processing network 40.

The acquirer 30 may be a bank that is associated with the access device18, and the issuer 42 may issue the first and second portable consumerdevices 14, 32 to the consumer.

As used herein, an “acquirer” is typically a business entity, e.g., acommercial bank that has a business relationship with a particularmerchant or other entity. An “issuer” is typically a business entity(e.g., a bank) which issues a portable consumer device such as a creditor debit card to a consumer. Some entities can perform both issuer andacquirer functions. Embodiments of the invention encompass such singleentity issuer-acquirers.

The payment processing network 40 may have a server computer 44, as wellas a database 48. The server computer 44 is typically a powerfulcomputer or cluster of computers. For example, the server computer canbe a large mainframe, a minicomputer cluster, or a group of serversfunctioning as a unit. In one example, the server computer may be adatabase server coupled to a web server.

The payment processing network 40 may comprise or use a paymentprocessing network such as VisaNet™. The payment processing network 40and any communication network that communicates with the paymentprocessing network 40 may use any other suitable wired or wirelessnetwork, including the Internet. The payment processing network 40 maybe adapted to process ordinary debit or credit card transactions.

The server computer 44 may comprise or be associated with a computerreadable medium comprising code for receiving a derived accountidentifier, and then determining the single permanent account identifierfrom the derived account identifier. The computer readable medium mayalso comprise code for using the single permanent account to route anyauthorization request message to the appropriate issuer 42.

For simplicity of illustration, one access device 18, one acquirer 30,and one issuer 42 are shown. However, it is understood that inembodiments of the invention, there can be multiple access devices,acquirers, issuers, as well as server computers, databases, accounts,etc.

An exemplary portable consumer device 32′ in the form of a phone maycomprise a computer readable medium and a body as shown in FIG. 2. (FIG.2 shows a number of components, and the portable consumer devicesaccording to embodiments of the invention may comprise any suitablecombination or subset of such components.) The computer readable medium32(b) may be present within the body 32(h), or may be detachable fromit. The body 32(h) may be in the form a plastic substrate, housing, orother structure. The computer readable medium 32(b) may be a memory thatstores data and may be in any suitable form including a magnetic stripe,a memory chip, etc. The memory preferably stores information such asfinancial information, transit information (e.g., as in a subway ortrain pass), access information (e.g., as in access badges), etc.Financial information may include information such as bank accountinformation, bank identification number (BIN), credit or debit cardnumber information, account balance information, expiration date,consumer information such as name, date of birth, etc. Any of thisinformation may be transmitted by the portable consumer device 32′.

In some embodiments, and regardless of the type of portable consumerdevice that is used, information in the memory may also be in the formof data tracks that are traditionally associated with credits cards.Such tracks include Track 1 and Track 2. Track 1 (“International AirTransport Association”) stores more information than Track 2, andcontains the cardholder's name as well as account number and otherdiscretionary data. This track is sometimes used by the airlines whensecuring reservations with a credit card. Track 2 (“American BankingAssociation”) is currently most commonly used. This is the track that isread by ATMs and credit card checkers. The ABA (American BankingAssociation) designed the specifications of this track and all worldbanks must abide by it. It contains the cardholder's account, encryptedPIN, plus other discretionary data.

The portable consumer device 32′ may further include a contactlesselement 32(g), which is typically implemented in the form of asemiconductor chip (or other data storage element) with an associatedwireless transfer (e.g., data transmission) element, such as an antenna.Contactless element 32(g) is associated with (e.g., embedded within)portable consumer device 32′ and data or control instructionstransmitted via a radio or cellular network may be applied tocontactless element 32(g) by means of a contactless element interface(not shown). The contactless element interface functions to permit theexchange of data and/or control instructions between the mobile devicecircuitry (and hence the radio or cellular network) and an optionalcontactless element 32(g).

Contactless element 32(g) is capable of transferring and receiving datausing a near field communications (“NFC”) capability (or near fieldcommunications medium) typically in accordance with a standardizedprotocol or data transfer mechanism (e.g., ISO 14443/NFC). Near fieldcommunications capability is a short-range communications capability,such as RFID, Bluetooth™, infra-red, or other data transfer capabilitythat can be used to exchange data between the portable consumer device32′ and an interrogation device. Thus, the portable consumer device 32′is capable of communicating and transferring data and/or controlinstructions via both cellular network and near field communicationscapability.

The portable consumer device 32′ may also include a processor 32(c)(e.g., a microprocessor) for processing the functions of the portableconsumer device 32′ and a display 32(d) to allow a consumer to see phonenumbers and other information and messages. The portable consumer device32′ may further include input elements 32(e) to allow a consumer toinput information into the device, a speaker 32(f) to allow the consumerto hear voice communication, music, etc., and a microphone 32(i) toallow the consumer to transmit her voice through the portable consumerdevice 32′. The portable consumer device 32′ may also include an antenna32(a) for wireless data transfer (e.g., data transmission).

If the portable consumer device is in the form of a debit, credit, orsmartcard, the portable consumer device may also optionally havefeatures such as magnetic strips. Such devices can operate in either acontact or contactless mode.

An example of a portable consumer device 32″ in the form of a card isshown in FIG. 3. FIG. 3 shows a plastic substrate 32(m). A contactlesselement 32(o) for interfacing with an access device 34 may be present onor embedded within the plastic substrate 32(m). Consumer information32(p) such as an account number, expiration date, a verification value,and consumer name may be printed or embossed on the card. Also, amagnetic stripe 32(n) may also be on the plastic substrate 32(m).

As shown in FIG. 3, the portable consumer device 32″ may include both amagnetic stripe 32(n) and a contactless element 32(o). In otherembodiments, both the magnetic stripe 32(n) and the contactless element32(o) may be in the portable consumer device 32″. In other embodiments,either the magnetic stripe 32(n) or the contactless element 32(o) may bepresent in the portable consumer device 32″.

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram showing basic components that may reside ina POS terminal such as access device 18. An exemplary access device 18may comprise a processor 18(a)-1, a computer readable medium 18(a)-2, akeypad 18(a)-3, a portable consumer device reader 18(a)-4, an outputdevice 18(a)-5, and a network interface 18(a)-6, which can all beoperatively coupled to the processor 18(a)-1. Exemplary portableconsumer device readers can include RF (radio frequency) antennas,magnetic stripe readers, etc. that interact with the portable consumerdevice 32. Suitable output devices may include displays and audio outputdevices. Exemplary computer readable media may include one or morememory chips, disk drives, etc. The network interface 18(a)-6 may allowthe access device 18 to send and receive messages from the acquirer 30,payment processing network 40, and/or the issuer 42.

Referring to FIG. 1, according to certain embodiments, eachcommunications channel may be associated with a different derivedaccount identifier. For example, a consumer may have three separatederived account identifiers, one each for a separate communicationschannel. The consumer may have a first derived account identifier foruse with first communications channel 52. In this embodiment, the firstcommunications channel 52 includes the path that is formed by accessdevice 18, and acquirer 30. This communications channel is for purchasesmade in person. It comprises using a first portable consumer device 14,such as a credit card. First portable consumer device 14 will containthe first derived account identifier, and can be used for transactionsin person, such as making purchases at a store.

The consumer may also have a second derived account identifier for usewith second derived communications channel 53. In this embodiment,second communications channel 53 includes the path that is formed bymobile gateway 38. This communications channel is for purchases madewith an electronic device such as second portable consumer device 32,which may be a cell phone. Second portable consumer device 32 cancontain the second derived account identifier, and can be used fortransactions.

The consumer may also have a third derived account identifier for usewith third communications channel 62. In this embodiment, thirdcommunications channel comprises the Internet. This communicationschannel is for purchases made with devices (such as user computer 60)that are connected to the Internet. User computer 60 may contain thethird derived account identifier in a memory storage, or the thirdderived account identifier may be input into user computer 60 separatelyfor each transaction.

In the above embodiment, each derived account identifier can only beused with its associated channel (i.e., first derived account identifiercan only be used with first communications channel 52, second derivedaccount identifier can only be used with second communications channel53, and third derived account identifier can only be used with thirdcommunications channel 62). As in the above example, if the consumer isat a store, this comprises first communications channel 52. As such, ifshe wishes to make a purchase, she would use first portable consumerdevice 14 (in this example, a credit card) containing the first derivedaccount identifier, for that purchase. Likewise, if she wishes to make apurchase over the Internet (third communications channel 62), she woulduse the third derived account identifier.

In the above embodiment, if the first derived account identifier on thefirst portable consumer device 14 is used in an Internet transaction(i.e., over communication channel 62), that transaction can be rejectedby the payment processing network 40 or the issuer 42. Likewise, even ifthe third derived account identifier is stolen by fraudulent actorswhile being used in an Internet transaction, it is unusable in any otherchannel. Commonly in fraud situations, the fraudulent actors will takestolen credit card information and create a physical card to use forin-person situations. In embodiments of the invention however, the thirdderived account identifier cannot be used in-person (i.e., it cannot beused with communication channel 52), and so any such transactions can berefused, preventing fraudulent purchases.

Referring to FIG. 1, according to other embodiments, each portableconsumer device may be associated with a different derived accountidentifier derived from a single permanent account identifier associatedwith the consumer. For example, the first portable consumer device 14may be a credit card and the second portable consumer device 32 may be akey-fob, and each may be associated with a separate derived accountidentifier.

In this example, the first portable consumer device 14 and the secondportable consumer device 32 may be associated with first and secondderived account identifiers. The first and second account identifiersmay be derived from a single permanent account identifier associatedwith the consumer. Therefore in this example, the credit card 14 maycontain or be associated with the first derived account identifier, andthe key-fob 32 may contain or be associated with the second derivedaccount identifier. In this embodiment, for the consumer to consummate atransaction, she must use a portable consumer device that contains thecorrect derived account identifier (i.e., the identifier that isassociated with the portable device being used).

In alternative embodiments, several communication channels may share thesame derived account identifiers and/or portable consumer devices. Inone implementation, in FIG. 1, third communication channel 62 may beassociated with a first derived account identifier, and the first andsecond communication channels 52 and 53 may be associated with a secondderived account identifier. For example, third communication channel 62may be for transactions that take place over the Internet. Using thisthird communication channel 62, the consumer inputs the first derivedaccount identifier when making purchases. First and second communicationchannels 52 and 53 may be for transactions using a first portableconsumer device 14 (such as a credit card) and a second portableconsumer device 32 (such as a cellular telephone), respectively. Boththe first portable consumer device 14 and the second portable consumerdevice 32 may contain the same second derived account identifier in thisexample.

Embodiments of the invention contemplate that different communicationchannels and portable consumer devices may contain various combinationsof derived account identifiers as may be desirable. In otherembodiments, a communication channel or portable consumer device may beassociated with more than a single derived account identifier. Forexample, a consumer may be given several derived account identifiers,all for use in Internet transactions. Or the consumer may be providedwith several credit cards, each containing a different derived accountidentifier. The amount of derived account identifiers provided to aconsumer, and to which portable consumer devices and communicationchannels they are associated with, can vary depending on the needs ofthe issuer, the consumer, or the payment processing network.

FIG. 5 shows the relationship between derived account identifiers and asingle permanent account identifier according to an embodiment of theinvention, and how the derived account identifiers are created from thesingle permanent account identifier. This process of derivation isaccording to a preferred embodiment of the invention. Permanent accountidentifier 51 may include a base account number 50, which in thisimplementation is the numeral string 0123456789. The derived accountidentifiers in this example, each comprise three parts. First derivedaccount identifier 51(a) comprises a first account number 50(a), whichmay be the same as the base account number 50, a first verificationvalue 54(a), and a first expiration date 55(a). Second derived accountidentifier 51(b) comprises a second account number 50(b), which may bethe same as the base account number 50, a second verification value54(b), and a second expiration date 55(b). In this embodiment, the baseaccount numbers 50(a) and 50(b) of the first and second derived accountidentifiers 51(a), 51(b) are identical to the base account number 50 ofthe permanent account identifier 51. What has been varied is the otherparts of the derived account identifiers 51(a), 51(b), namely theverification values (54(a) and 54(b)) and the expiration dates (55(a)and 55(b)). The parts of the derived identifiers may be assigned by theissuer or an organization associated with the payment processingnetwork, once the base number 50 of the permanent account identifier 51has been assigned. By way of example, expiration date 55(a) may beOctober, 2009, and expiration date 55(b) may be February 2010.Verification value 54(a) may be the number 012, and verification value54(b) may be the number 789.

Each of the derived account identifiers is associated with its owncommunication channel or portable consumer device. Derived accountidentifier 51(a) can be associated with first communication channel 52,and derived account identifier 51(b) can be associated with secondcommunication channel 62. Both 52 and 62 may be any type of channel. Forexample, as with FIG. 1, first communication channel 52 may be a channelfor in person transactions, and second communications channel 62 may befor transactions that take place over the Internet. Transactions overcommunication channel 52 may be performed using a portable consumerdevice 14, such as a credit card. For transactions over this firstcommunication channel 52, first account number 50(a) can be the same asthe base account number 50, and the first verification value 51(a) andfirst expiration date 54(a) are printed on the portable consumer device14. When the consumer wishes to make a transaction over the secondcommunications channel 62, she can use the second derived accountidentifier 51(b). In this case, she can use base account number 50(b) asthe credit card number that is requested by an Internet store, and enterthe second verification value 54(b) and the second expiration date 55(b)onto any website forms, to make a purchase over the Internet.

Assigning each derived account identifier with a unique expiration dateand verification value, while keeping the same base number as the singlepermanent account identifier, is a simple yet novel way to create manyunique derived account identifiers that can all be associated with thesingle permanent account identifier. A credit card number with a missingor incorrect expiration date may not be accepted for use in purchasetransactions. As such, even if one derived account identifier isdiscovered and used in fraudulent transactions, any other relatedderived account identifiers are not compromised.

In the embodiments discussed above, the derived account numbers and thebase account number are the same. In other embodiments, the derivedaccount numbers may be different than the base account number. In suchembodiments, the derivation of derived account numbers from thepermanent account identifier may occur using any other suitable process.The process of derivation can include combining numbers and letterstogether without alteration, manipulating numbers using a mathematicalformula, etc. For example, a permanent account identifier such as1234567812345678 may be altered to three different derived accountidentifiers by multiplying the permanent identifier by 3, 6, and 9,respectively and taking the 16 rightmost digits. The three derivednumbers could be used for three different payment mechanisms that theconsumer might use (e.g., a first one including a POS terminal, a secondone using a mobile gateway, and a third one using an Internetconnection.

In one exemplary embodiment, the payment processing network 40 maygenerate the single permanent account identifier and correspondingderived account identifiers. In this case, the derived accountidentifiers would be provided to the issuer 42. In another embodiment,issuer 42 may generate the single permanent account identifier and thederived account identifiers. The derived account identifiers would thenbe communicated to the payment processing network 40. In a furtherembodiment, issuer 42 may generate the single permanent accountidentifier and provide it to payment processing network 40. Paymentprocessing network 40 would then create the associated derived accountidentifiers from the provided single permanent account identifier.

A method of performing an embodiment of the invention is detailed inFIG. 6. In step 202, an issuer or an organization associated with apayment processing network can generate a permanent account identifier,and assign the permanent account identifier to a consumer. Thispermanent account identifier may be used to reference the consumer'saccount with the issuer or organization. For example, the consumer mayopen up a credit card account with an issuer such as a bank. The bankwill then generate a permanent account identifier and use that as thecredit card account number. Then in step 204, the issuer or organizationwill generate, from the permanent account identifier, a plurality ofdifferent derived account identifiers for each of the communicationchannels and/or portable consumer devices that a consumer might use.These identifiers then will be provided to the consumer.

The derived account identifiers that have been generated are thenassociated with separate communication channels or portable consumerdevices. For example, as explained above, a first derived accountidentifier can be assigned to a first portable consumer device, a secondderived account identifier can be assigned to a second portable consumerdevice, and a third derived account identifier can be assigned for theconsumer to use when the consumer uses a computer in a “card notpresent” type of transaction.

Each derived account identifier can then be used in conjunction with itsassociated communication channel or portable consumer device. Theconsumer can use any of the derived account identifiers that she wasprovided for commerce transactions, as seen in step 206 and as shownabove.

The issuer or organization can monitor to see if any of the derivedaccount identifiers have expired or been compromised. This is shown instep 208. If that answer is “No”, i.e. none of the derived accountidentifiers have expired or been compromised, the consumer may keepusing all of them as in step 206. If that answer is “Yes”, i.e. aderived account identifier has expired or has been compromised, then theexpired or compromised identifier may be cancelled and made unusable bythe consumer. The issuer or organization can create a replacementderived account identifier to replace the cancelled ones in step 210,and associate them with the communication channels or portable consumerdevices that had previously been associated with the cancelled derivedaccount identifiers. Once this happens, the consumer may use the newderived account identifier in place of the cancelled one, as in step206.

The method of using the invention according to one embodiment is shownin FIG. 7. The reference numbers used below refer to the steps in FIG.7, and the components in FIG. 1. In this embodiment, a consumer has beenassigned a single permanent account identifier, and has been providedwith a plurality of derived account identifiers. Each derived accountidentifier is associated with a specific type or category ofcommunication channel or portable consumer device. In step 302, theconsumer can use a first portable consumer device 14 at a merchant thathas a POS terminal (which is an example of access device 18). The firstportable consumer device 14 may be in the form of a card. The firstportable consumer device is associated with a first derived accountidentifier. The POS terminal can generate an authorization requestmessage in step 304, which includes information in the first derivedaccount identifier. It is then sent to the acquirer 30, and then to thepayment processing network 40. A server computer 44 in the paymentprocessing network 40 can then use a lookup table or the like in adatabase 48 to identify the single permanent account identifierassociated with the first derived account identifier in Step 306. Thesingle permanent account identifier may include the correct BIN or bankidentification number for the issuer 42. In step 308, the paymentprocessing network 40 then sends the authorization request message tothe appropriate issuer 42.

Then, in step 310, the issuer 42 determines whether or not thetransaction is authorized. The issuer 42 may authorize the transactionif there is sufficient credit and/or funds in the consumer's account.The issuer 42 may not authorize the transaction if there is insufficientcredit or funds.

The issuer 42 then generates an authorization response message that issent back to the POS terminal via the payment processing network 40, instep 312. During this step, the payment processing network 40 mayconvert the single permanent account identifier back to the firstderived account identifier information. The authorization responsemessage is received by the POS terminal, which can inform the consumeras to whether or not the transaction has been approved.

After the transaction is approved, a normal clearing and settlementprocess can take place, in step 314.

Then, the consumer may conduct a second transaction, at a POS terminalin step 316 using a second portable consumer device The second portableconsumer device used in the second transaction can be associated with asecond derived account identifier. For example, the second portableconsumer device may be in the form of a wireless phone with acontactless communication element. The second transaction may beconducted with a second portable consumer device (and a second derivedaccount identifier that is associated with the second portable consumerdevice). The POS terminal for the second transaction may be a differentterminal from the one in the first transaction, or it may be the sameterminal. The process for this second transaction is substantiallysimilar to the process in the first transaction. In step 318, the POSterminal sends an authorization message that includes the derivedaccount identifier used in the second transaction, to the paymentprocessing network 40. The payment processing network determines thepermanent account identifier in step 320, and forwards the authorizationrequest message to the issuer 42 in step 322. The issuer 42 determinesif the transaction is authorized in step 324, using the same criteria asin step 310.

The issuer 42 then generates an authorization response message that issent back to the POS terminal via the payment processing network 40, instep 326. The authorization response message may include the derivedaccount identifier used in the second transaction. It is then receivedby the POS terminal, which can inform the consumer as to whether or notthe transaction has been approved. Clearing and settlement then takesplace in step 328. Further transactions can subsequently be conductedusing the same derived account identifier, or other derived accountidentifiers in the same manner (e.g., using an authorization requestmessage) as described above in steps 302-328.

Embodiments of the invention have a number of advantages. For example,the permanent account number associated with the consumer is not exposedout in the open at any time in some embodiments. Further, even if onederived account identifier is compromised, the single permanent accountidentifier and the other derived account identifiers are notcompromised. Also, this invention improves the ability of issuers toretain its holders (e.g., cardholders). In certain embodiments, thesingle permanent account identifier is not required to have anexpiration date, and it is possible to keep the consumer associated withthe account for life. Further, in embodiments of the invention, even ifa derived account identifier associated with one channel or portableconsumer device is cancelled, other account identifiers associated withother channels or devices may be used. Thus, the cancellation of onederived account identifier does not mean that all account identifiersbecome inactive.

Embodiments of the invention are not limited to the above-describedembodiments. For example, although separate functional blocks are shownfor an issuer, payment processing system, and acquirer, some entitiesperform all of these functions and may be included in embodiments ofinvention.

It should be understood that the present invention as described abovecan be implemented in the form of control logic using computer softwarein a modular or integrated manner. Based on the disclosure and teachingsprovided herein, a person of ordinary skill in the art can know andappreciate other ways and/or methods to implement the present inventionusing hardware and a combination of hardware and software

Any of the software components or functions described in thisapplication, may be implemented as software code to be executed by aprocessor using any suitable computer language such as, for example,Java, C++ or Perl using, for example, conventional or object-orientedtechniques. The software code may be stored as a series of instructions,or commands on a computer readable medium, such as a random accessmemory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a magnetic medium such as ahard-drive or a floppy disk, or an optical medium such as a CD-ROM. Anysuch computer readable medium may reside on or within a singlecomputational apparatus, and may be present on or within differentcomputational apparatuses within a system or network.

The above description is illustrative and is not restrictive. Manyvariations of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in theart upon review of the disclosure. The scope of the invention should,therefore, be determined not with reference to the above description,but instead should be determined with reference to the pending claimsalong with their full scope or equivalents.

One or more features from any embodiment may be combined with one ormore features of any other embodiment without departing from the scopeof the invention.

A recitation of “a”, “an” or “the” is intended to mean “one or more”unless specifically indicated to the contrary. A recitation of “she” ismeant to be gender neutral, and may be read as “he” or “she”, unlessspecifically indicated to the contrary.

All patents, patent applications, publications, and descriptionsmentioned above are herein incorporated by reference in their entiretyfor all purposes. None is admitted to be prior art.

1. A method comprising: creating a plurality of derived accountidentifiers, wherein each derived account identifier is derived from asingle permanent account identifier associated with a consumer, andwherein each derived account identifier is associated with a differentpayment mechanism; and providing the plurality of derived accountidentifiers to the consumer.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein eachderived account identifier is only usable in conjunction with itsassociated payment mechanism.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein eachdifferent account identifier is associated with a different paymentmechanism in a plurality of payment mechanisms, wherein the plurality ofpayment mechanisms comprises a communication channel using a phone, acommunication channel using a POS terminal, and a communication channelusing a computer connected to the Internet.
 4. The method of claim 1wherein each derived account identifier is associated with a differentportable consumer device in a plurality of payment mechanisms, theplurality of payment mechanisms comprising a phone and a card.
 5. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising providing a replacement derivedaccount identifier if an account identifier in the plurality of derivedaccount identifiers has expired or has been compromised.
 6. The methodof claim 1, wherein the derived account identifiers and the permanentaccount identifier are in the form of different account numbers.
 7. Themethod of claim 1 wherein the permanent account identifier comprises abase account number, and each derived account identifier comprises thebase account number, a verification value, and an expiration date. 8.The method of claim 7 wherein derived account identifiers in theplurality of account identifiers include different verification valuesand expiration dates.
 9. The method of claim 6, further comprising:adjusting an account associated with the single permanent identifier toreflect multiple commerce transactions.
 10. A computer readable mediumcomprising: code for creating a plurality of derived accountidentifiers, wherein each derived account identifier is derived from asingle permanent account identifier associated with a consumer, andwherein each derived account identifier is associated with a differentpayment mechanism; and code for providing the plurality of derivedaccount identifiers to the consumer.
 11. A server comprising thecomputer readable medium of claim
 10. 12. A method comprising: using afirst derived account identifier in a first transaction; using a secondderived account identifier in a second transaction; wherein each of thefirst and second derived account identifiers is associated with adifferent payment mechanism, and wherein each of the plurality ofderived account identifiers is derived from a single permanent accountidentifier.
 13. The method of claim 12 wherein the first and secondaccount identifiers include different account numbers.
 14. The method ofclaim 12 wherein the first and second transactions are purchasetransactions.
 15. The method of claim 12 wherein the different paymentmechanisms comprise different communications channels that are used by aconsumer.
 16. The method of claim 12, wherein the different paymentmechanisms comprise different portable consumer devices that are used bya consumer.
 17. A plurality of portable consumer devices comprising: afirst portable consumer device comprising a first derived accountidentifier; and a second portable consumer device comprising a secondderived account identifier, wherein the first and second derived accountidentifiers are derived from a single permanent account identifier. 18.A method comprising: receiving an authorization request messagecomprising a derived account identifier, wherein the derived accountidentifier is associated with a specific payment mechanism, and whereinthe derived account identifier is associated with a single permanentaccount identifier; determining the single permanent account identifierassociated with the derived account identifier; and forwarding theauthorization request message to an issuer using the single permanentaccount identifier.
 19. The method of claim 18 wherein the authorizationrequest message is a first authorization request message and the derivedaccount identifier is a first derived account identifier, and whereinthe method further comprises: receiving a second authorization requestmessage comprising a second derived account identifier associated withthe single permanent account identifier, wherein the second derivedaccount Identifier is associated with a payment mechanism that isdifferent than the payment mechanism associated with the first derivedaccount identifier; and forwarding the second authorization requestmessage to the issuer using the single permanent account identifier. 20.The method of claim 18, further comprising: receiving an authorizationresponse message from the issuer; and forwarding the authorizationresponse message to a consumer associated with the permanent accountidentifier.
 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the authorizationresponse message includes the first derived account identifier.
 22. Acomputer readable medium comprising: code for receiving an authorizationrequest message comprising a derived account identifier, wherein thederived account identifier is associated with a specific paymentmechanism, and wherein the derived account identifier is associated witha single permanent account identifier; code for determining the singlepermanent account identifier associated with the derived accountidentifier; and code for forwarding the authorization request message toan issuer using the single permanent account identifier.
 23. A servercomputer comprising the computer readable medium of claim 22.